Post-Election 2012 --Back to Kingdom Business

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.   He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival.   But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.   When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?"   But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village. -- Luke 9: 51-55 (NLT)

There's the spirit of the modern church! If they don't agree with us, let us call down fire from heaven to consume them! This is a great analogy for us today. The Samaritans were part Jewish but they believed Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, was the place chosen by God for His temple. So when they saw Jesus was passing through to get to Jerusalem, this appeared to them as foolishness. As such, they did not welcome Him. Likewise, when we concentrate on our beliefs and try to transpose them onto those in the world, it will appear to them as foolishness as well. They also will not welcome it beloved. You can scream at a homosexual all you like that they chose their lifestyle, they will not believe it. You can insist to a woman that what is growing inside of her is a precious human life but she may not see it that way. Things that are spiritually discerned require the spirit of the living God. But there are two other lessons here for us.

First of all, look at the reaction of James and John! They certainly appear quite offended and seriously consider calling down fire from heaven! Oh how often do we act similarly when the world rejects the absolute truth we know? Once we are saved it is no longer about us and our delicate sensibilities beloved. It is about them and how we can show them Christ. The Bible is a two edged sword, not a blunt instrument designed to smack people over the head with. Too often we wield it like a mace instead of a sword. The reason it is double edged is that it is supposed to cut us right back as well. Secondly, they simply went on to another village. There is always someone else that needs to hear the Gospel! Remember, those who refuse to hear will have their hands full when we are held to account. When Jesus looked out upon the multitudes He was moved with compassion because He knew they were like sheep without a shepherd. Too often when the church looks out upon the multitudes it does so with derision, blaming them for the ills we find in our society. We then judge them with a measuring rod they simply do not understand and then we wonder why they want nothing to do with us.

The election is over. God has in power who God wanted in power as part of His decretive will. The Bible says our job is to pray for that person and all leaders. Furthermore, we need to stop all the vitriol, hate, and leveraging of God for our own personal and political persuasions. There is a world out there that is separate from their God. They need to hear the Gospel. They need to hear it preached in love. They need to taste the saltiness of Christians and see the light within us to lead them to the cross of Jesus Christ. They do not need us to call down fire from heaven to consume them. It is time to be wise with our words and do no harm by our actions. It is time to get back to Kingdom business.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- November 7, 2012

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3